Hoping Hillary Says Yes
Sitting less than ten feet from Hillary Clinton at an RFK Memorial event in New York this week, I was overwhelmed by the presence and power the woman carries with her wherever she goes. Charming and poised as she was inundated by admirers, I could not help but think how hard it was, in some sense, to vote for Obama over Senator Clinton. I was momentarily overcome thinking how I wish both of them could have won.
Like many, I believed that Obama had the better chance to beat McCain. That turned out to be a good bet. Now the notion of Mrs. Clinton as Secretary of State looms over her every utterance and move and I pray that this becomes a reality.
Statesmanship had been the most important tool in a president's toolbox until Cheney and Rumsfeld moved into the West Wing. During Bush's administration, the Department of Defense, war and war profiteering eclipsed any real hope for diplomatic solutions. Perhaps Mrs. Clinton will right the ship and make it once again possible that America's diplomatic voice is clear and convincing, backed up by power of America's military only on a truly as-needed basis.
The president can not go to every corner of the world that requires his attention. Who better to send than the one American who can represent him and all of America with an equivalent intellect, dedication and dynamism. I hope she says yes.
And I hope Chuck Hagel is Defense Secretary. A Vietnam vet. A Republican who understands the world isn't one ongoing bar fight. A man we can all respect and who won't sell us out so that KBR and Carlyle Group investors get rich.
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Good one Alec. As a Hillary supporter I know exactly what you mean BY WHICH ONE, I had a hard time deciding WHICH ONE myself when it came time to chose between Obama and Hillary. She is HER OWN, she's not Bill, SHE IS HILLARY CLINTON. I leave that defition to those who really don't understand right now, but will find out just what Hillary is all about, WHEN SHE ACCEPTS HER NEW POSITION AS SOS.
I also agree with your take on Chuck Hagel.
Moreover, First Thing First:-
Are Cab. Positions offered to Those With The Most Connections In The Media? The Media is Lobbying For The Clintons And We Are Silent. How About Those Who Supported Prez From The Start?
we the people, we will never accept Hillar as SOS.
69,000,000 voted for CHANGE, change in Foreign and Domestic Policies. We must unite to ask Prez-Obama to not give-in to Media Lobying for The Clintons.
I am asking you to join me in e-mailing (Millions Of You!!!) to obama-camp (Not Transition Team - They are Infested By Clinton People)Voices For Cange. Do it before he "Officially" offers her the post.
Republicans are already at College Campuses (my daughter just called me) telling students " You voted For Chane and You Got Clintons Re-instated blah blah.. and that they should join "Young Republicans, and the Obama "lied" to them all. I know many on this blog are clinton supporter, but the primaries fight is over - Obama won both times and at a far greater numbers than even the primaries. Also, there is speculation that Joe Biden will resign if SOS goes to Hillary ( I don't think this is true-because they are friends) Republicans are using her to take the youth away from Obama.
YOU the people?????
At the very least all this speculation about Hillary Clinto for SOS has pushed Governor Palin out of the media's radar screen. Temporarily, at least.
For the sake of all who voted for Obama, I sincerely hope he is better at keeping his promises than you have been Mr. Baldwin; didn’t you promise, back in 2004, to leave the country if Bush won? When did you return?
Statesmanship has never been the most important tool in the president’s toolbox, at least not during the last 70 years. Statesmanship failed to keep us out of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Statesmanship failed to stem the tide of Soviet expansion during the 45 years following WWII. The most important and useful tool in the president’s toolbox has been, and continues to be, the use of, or threat of, our military. Statesmanship has a place, but it is worse than useless without the backing of a strong military and the will to use it if necessary.
As a one and a third term senator, I doubt Ms. Clinton is “the one American who can represent him and all of America…”; can the Obama team do no better than selecting a woman who couldn’t even keep her husband from straying?
When someone says YES I bet you always say NO. You'll always be opposite of WHAT EVER.
"...can the Obama team do no better than selecting a woman who couldn"t even keep her husband from straying?"
What in the world does this statement have to do with Hillary's qualifications to be Sec. of State?
"The most important and useful tool in the president"s toolbox has been, and continues to be, the use of, or threat of, our military."
Maybe diplomacy would be a nice addition to the "toolbox".
Amen - evidently bluesmoke is one of those people who blames women for their husbands' infidelity. He/she presumably also thinks that John Edward's affair was Elizabeth's fault - a truly horrible idea, I would like to add. Either that or there's a double standard at work here, where Hillary is held to a standard to which no one else on God's green earth is held, just like with her Iraq vote.
Incidentally, maybe Mr. Baldwin made the remark about leaving the country in the heat of the moment and thought later on that he could NOT abandon his country in its hour of need.
" ... a woman who couldn't even keep her husband from straying", are you having a laugh? Does the same demeaning trivialization apply to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Eleanor Roosevelt and an endless string of women from Mrs. Thomas Jefferson up to and including Mrs. Eliot Spitzer and Elizabeth Edwards?? And was not Obama's deservedly lauded opposition to the Iraq war, in a word, statesmanship?
i strongly approve of the hillary pick for any number of reasons.now, i dont want to start whining two months before the man even takes office,however...the cabinet is not exactly shaping up to be a progressives dream is it??what im hoping is that obama is actually far more left leaning,much much more liberal than he has let on so far and that these people-emanuel,eric holder and some of the moderate and/or conservative types being mentioned are going to be there merely to keep obama from falling off the deep,left end.anyway-as important as the economy is,there are two issues which absolutely must be taken care of,not lip service,but truly addresed:1)health care 2)iraq.
i understand its become fashionable to call us a center right nation and talk about keeping the right pacified and blah blah blah...but these are issues which can not be put off.barack obama made very specific promises when it comes to these two things and we must demand that he keeps his word.
in 2004 the media swallowed whole the bullsh** from W. about a mandate.he got so much freedom to behave as president of the red states only.and now for some reason,obama,after winning far more votes than bush,is somehow obligated to govern exclusively in the interests of this mythical center-right nation.okay,so obama gets plenty of breathing room,yes.but we cannot simply roll over and be forgotten.
I sincerely hope Obama does not end up regretting this decision.
Moreover, First Thing First:-
Are Cab. Positions offered to Those With The Most Connections In The Media? The Media is Lobbying For The Clintons And We Are Silent. How About Those Who Supported Prez From The Start?
we the people, we will never accept Hillar as SOS.
69,000,000 voted for CHANGE, change in Foreign and Domestic Policies. We must unite to ask Prez-Obama to not give-in to Media Lobying for The Clintons.
I am asking you to join me in e-mailing (Millions Of You!!!) to obama-camp (Not Transition Team - They are Infested By Clinton People)Voices For Cange. Do it before he "Officially" offers her the post.
Republicans are already at College Campuses (my daughter just called me) telling students " You voted For Chane and You Got Clintons Re-instated blah blah.. and that they should join "Young Republicans, and the Obama "lied" to them all. I know many on this blog are clinton supporter, but the primaries fight is over - Obama won both times and at a far greater numbers than even the primaries. Also, there is speculation that Joe Biden will resign if SOS goes to Hillary ( I don't think this is true-because they are friends) Republicans are using her to take the youth away from Obama.
Obama is the change and he will bring it- please put your energy behind him- not against him.
This IS the change Obama has been talking about all along. I'm sorry you missed it.
As for "speculation that Joe Biden will resign..."
That is totally ridiculous.
The origin of that "speculation" must be from a frustrated individual.
Take your displeasure with Hillary and channel it to helping with the solutions to our issues. We need all the help we can get.
P.S. your spelling and grammar need some work... There are at least 10 errors in your blog.
For example, you spelled change 3 different ways.
If you would like to be taken more seriously you should take your posting more seriously.
The "Obama Camp" was high-fiving Clinton after her convention speech, so I'm sure your rant will fall on deaf ears.
Presence and power is in they eye of the beholder. Several years ago, a friend of mine was moved from an obscure policy position within the Energy Department to be the Secretary's right hand man.
Not long afterward, we were having lunch and he says to me, "I don't know what I've changed, but suddenly people sit up and take notice when I talk."
Of course, my friend hadn't changed -- he didn't project more power, he didn't have a greater presence. He simply sat on a higher perch, which made us perceive him differently.
Ms. Clinton is bright, driven, and a good politician. If she is any more than that, it is we who make it so.
What's my point? Well, her fitness for a job has little to do with attributes we assign to her -- such as presence and power -- and everything to do with the attributes she brings to the job.
What we need in SOS is intelligence, a person who will be a team player, someone who is willing and able to subordinate his or her ambitions and desires to the administration's greater purpose.
Looks like we're going to find out if 1 out of 3 is good enough.
Mr. Baldwin, I agree with you. We had two powerful individuals go head to head during the primaries, and it was an intense contest. What better team to head U.S. foreign policy than a partnership between those two dynamic rivals. If they can work together around their shared goals, we can be optimistic about foreign policy in the coming years.
Hillary is going to absolutely KICK ASS on so many levels it is exciting to think about, especially after 8 years of representatives for the LYING THIEVING MURDERING CLUB.
Alec, you had me until you said chuck...Hillary's Bosnia bull I can get past, she has enough respect from me despite her sleazy primary campaign to be a true asset to this administration. Hagel on the other hand is a staunch republican, and if for no other reason, I'm sick of people tying the Republican's with a strong sense of defense...that concept is what got us 8 years in the first place. There's plenty of options in house.
i think she should say no, and save us all a daily headache.
I'm hoping she says yes, to give you all a daily headache.
Bravo. The Repubs will be in constant torment. Serves them right for the past 8 years they put this country through.
LOL.
Hope you have lots of asprin...
I am one of those democrats who never was much for the Clintons. I find them rather over rated in general.
However. I do think if Hillary doesn't bring along her circus to the department she can be a very good Sec. of State.
The thing she needs to learn and hopefully will do with her new role is to learn the art of understatement you don't need to shout to be heard and to have a continuing soap opera to be relevant.
If she does that she can be a great Sec. of State.
Hillary's CIRCUS? Are you referring to the few million Hillary supporters that sent Obama over the top with the POP VOTE.
The Clinton era is over can we move into a new direction letting the Clinton’s slip into the background where they belong. I for one am sick of all the drama associated with the Clinton. They feel like they are entitled to be king, and queen of the democrat party forever.
NO, IT IS RE-INSTATED BY OBAMA
Moreover, First Thing First:-
Are Cab. Positions offered to Those With The Most Connections In The Media? The Media is Lobbying For The Clintons And We Are Silent. How About Those Who Supported Prez From The Start?
we the people, we will never accept Hillar as SOS.
69,000,000 voted for CHANGE, change in Foreign and Domestic Policies. We must unite to ask Prez-Obama to not give-in to Media Lobying for The Clintons.
I am asking you to join me in e-mailing (Millions Of You!!!) to obama-camp (Not Transition Team - They are Infested By Clinton People)Voices For Cange. Do it before he "Officially" offers her the post.
Republicans are already at College Campuses (my daughter just called me) telling students " You voted For Chane and You Got Clintons Re-instated blah blah.. and that they should join "Young Republicans, and the Obama "lied" to them all. I know many on this blog are clinton supporter, but the primaries fight is over - Obama won both times and at a far greater numbers than even the primaries. Also, there is speculation that Joe Biden will resign if SOS goes to Hillary ( I don't think this is true-because they are friends) Republicans are using her to take the youth away from Obama.
What are you going to do when Gates is asked to stay on by Obama? Get your binky and cry!!!! No that is not true about Biden resigning, he and Hillary are good friends. Why are you here trying to stir things up. This is not what this country needs right now, how self-centered, with all the problems facing President-elect Obama.
What drama are you refering to ? Why dont you get a life and leave the Clintons alone.
Bringing together these two powerful foes sends a brilliant message to this country, and the rest of the world.
"For the first time in my adult life I am proud of this country!"
Where else but America could this ever be possible?
I hope this comes to pass.
i think it sends the message that barack is going to allow the 'hawks' in nat. sec.,to prolong our stay in iraq.
And I think this baseless criticism of Obama and Clinton is more wishful thinking from the right wing.
"Let the hawks in"? A "vote" that most made with the approval of the Country does not a Hawk make. HRC wants out of Iraq big time. Obama is not a Dove by any stretch of the imagination. "He would pick up a gun himself" to hunt Osama into Pakistan.
To Alec Baldwin,
I can't thank you enough for your kind and generous words about Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. I was a strong supporter of Mrs. Clinton in the primary campaign and her loss was quite painful for me. But as I watched Barack Obama in the presidential campaign, I saw a man of immense intelligence, strength, poise, grace under pressure, and a savvy and smart politician. I was proud to cast my vote for him as President.
I am so pleased that he wants to nominate Hillary for this most important cabinet position. I think she is ideally suited for the job. She will be a commanding and confident advocate for his foreign policy goals. It shows that Obama is a man of immense class and confidence to offer his former rival this key appointment. I admire him even more for his generosity of spirit.
I hope, as do you, that Hillary Clinton can show the world that we are not the evil empire that the Bush administration has made us out to be. We desperately need to repair our frayed alliances and once again show the world that we are able to lead once more.
Mindy, you are one of the reasons it is important for democrats who don't support the Clintons to learn and understand.
We who supported obama go the president we wanted. Isn't it time to be a little understanding in those who supported Mrs. Clinton and appreciate the fact that with her as Sec. of State these women can have something that is pleasing to them and makes them happy.
My 75 year old mother is a Hillary fan and she sounded so sad last August. She was trying to support obama but, was wistful over Hillary not being the nominee.
With her appointment as Sec. of State people like my mom are happy that Hillary is appreciated and not forgotten and that obama reached out to her and placed her in a vital role.
My mom is thrilled.
Like I said., we got the president we wanted, so shouldn't we at least be decent in letting supporters of Mrs. Clinton have a little something for themselves as well?
Ditto MindyM.
Well said Mindy. I admire Hillary.
Thanks, Alec.
I started out very much in favor of Hillary as SoS, and then was unsure whether my own gut feelings about her were necessarily right. I also supported Obama in the primary.
You echo my gut feelings exactly here.
Hillary was the competition, not the enemy. She fought hard right to the bitter end, in spite of getting behind mid-race. That's tenacity I want in the person who represents American interests to the world.
Hillary and Obama are most definitely on the same side. And I trust Obama's judgment in this.
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